Marvel’sThe Incredible Hulkmovie occupies a alone place in the MCU franchise . Unlike other MCU moving picture likeIron ManorCaptain America , Hulk never got a film series of his own . rather , his story continue in theAvengersandThormovies , which examine Banner determine beloved withBlack Widowand gradually acquire into theSmart Hulk .

As a answer , however , some of Hulk ’s greatest enemies were press to the side – including The Leader , a super smart gamma mutate who played a supporting role inThe Incredible Hulk filmas the human scientist Samuel Sterns . hind end was exposed to Banner ’s gamma - enlighten blood during the film and appeared to be mutate into his nefarious ego , yet has been prominently absent in subsequent MCU films .

Related : Why MCU Hulk Never Had A True Movie Origin

Robin Curtis and Kirstie Alley as Lt. Saavik in Star Trek.

Although his absence was never explained in the films , one risible account book serial , Marvel ’s The Avengers Prelude : Fury ’s Big Week , managed to fill in some of the blanks by telling side stories of what happened in the consequence of many MCU superhero battles . As it turned out , audience can thankBlack Widow for being so estimable at her jobshe was able to neutralize the Leader before he could become a threat .

In the 5th exit ofFury ’s Big Week , readers learned that Natasha Romanov was one of the SHIELD agents secretly tracking Bruce Banner ’s movements during the consequence of his movie . mystify as a university student , Natasha do to gain access to Culver University during the stop where BannerHulked outand fought with General Ross ’ U. S. Army . Reporting to Fury directly on the aspect , Natasha was order to not let Ross take Banner dead or alive – a directive that became moot when the Hulk plainly smashed his way through the army .

Natasha did find Emil Blonsky ’s enhance strength and speed during the battle , however , and informed Fury . Still assigned to Banner , Natasha went to Harlem during the Hulk ’s second fight with Blonsky , who had since mutated into the Abomination . Instead of involving herself in the actual battle , Natasha go into the university lab where both Banner and Blonsky had been experimented on by Samuel Sterns and realise bottom slowly mutate into a creature with a massively outsize wit .

Far Side, cowboys with hands in the air (foreground) Union soldier giving general

Already showing signs of megalomania , the newborn “ Leader ” divulge his superhuman intelligence to Natasha by deducing her Russian inheritance simply from analyzing faint traces of her remaining emphasis . assure the Black Widow that he has an “ notable future delimit by power and influence , ” Sterns attempts to recruit Natasha … who promptlyshoots Sterns in the legand shout out in a SHIELD cleanup crew .

reader next see Sterns in a SHIELD installation submerged in a tank and continue in a sedated state . Given that nobody has seen or heard of the Leader since that gunpoint , it would appear that the Black Widow in effect ended Sterns ’ criminal career even before it start . It ’s an ignominious death to a villain who , in the comics , is one of theHulk’smost brawny foe – but it just record how skillful the MCUBlack Widowis at stopping menace before they have a luck to step up .

Next : Marvel ’s Avengers : Black Widow Skill Tree ( Every Ability Explained )

Collage of Captain Sisko, Captain Picard, Captain Kirk, and Captain Janeway from the Star Trek franchise.

Black Widow and Incredible Hulk MCU

Samuel Sterns aka The Leader in The Incredible Hulk lying on the floor with a head wound

Black Widow Shoots The Leader Incredible Hulk

Black Widow